Here’s some tests of my next games graphics. I have plans for a lot of animation (grass, sky, and lighting effects) but until I choose an engine its just kinda… flat for now.

Simple tiles and jumpables

Grass and rock tiles

Space ship tiles? hmm… wonder what these are for!

So now I’m at an fork in the road. I’m finishing up bitcrobes (slowly, since I only work on it every so often) but I need to think about where I’m headed next. I have a great game idea, what I think are solid mechanics, and some neat art. I really want to put a LOT more effort into the next project in every way.

What I’m worried about is the fear that working on iOS apps is going to hold me back. Does a game with depth and geared towards longer play times fit on the mobile market? Should I switch to a different language and engine? I know nothing about unity, and c# resources seem sparse. IN addition, I don’t have the funds to buy a unity license. Releasing for desktop seems scary without a market to distribute too. I really feel like I could have a niche with this game on iOS… or make something no one really wants to play!

The time has finally come! I’m really excited. Level design is one of the last things I wanted to do before I go through a more intense play through and polishing (especially on the options/menus).

Its really fun now knowing that putting together the level is rather straight forward. Place the tiles, tell the game how many enemies/items to place, and then its done. Fun!

The menu options are starting to look a little different as well. I posted a little while ago about the plan, and its finally implemented. The old version had a scientist character but I think it was just too much. He didn’t really do anything or add anything to the game.

NEW UPGRADE: Cell division!

Your character can now divide into smaller versions of itself. It’s awesome! I really like this feature. They don’t survive long BUT they can get food for you which adds to your funds!

Well this past few weeks has been pretty exciting for Bitcrobes! I’ve knocked off item after item on its development, and its been nice to see the list shrink. Every now and then I have to add things to the list, but otherwise I’ve been making strides!

(part of the virus attack screen. Looks like a mess :\ but its only a background image)

Items on my “To Do” list:

Design/implement a new “lab” scene where you choose levels/upgrades/settings/etc…

Implement the “Creative Mode” feature in the lab scene.

I have some animating to do – I’d like to have new microbes that are in a level show up on the levels intro screen with a short description of what that microbe does.

I have a little bit of bug fixing to do on creative mode. Mostly minor graphical errors

I need to finish making the upgrade buttons with graphics

I need to found sound effects.

I need music

After that’s all done, I’ll design 24 levels to start with, then its off to release

In other news, I’m starting to plan my next game. Bitcrobes is meant to be a free game just to get my name out there and say officially I’ve made a game. My next game will be a lots more heft in terms of scope and design. I really want to make a game that players will like, but most importantly that I’d like to play over and over again.

How much fun! I’ve released videos where I showed off how the organisms interact with each other when the player isn’t nearby. I had so much fun playing with that, that I decided to turn it into a new “mode” for the player. Instead of using your funds to purchase levels, you can save up your funds and unlock a creative mode which allows you to place any number of organism and watch them do their thing! This is more simulation than game, but I still think its fun!

This weekend my goal is to finish up a lot of loose ends in regards to menus. For example, I have yet to implement pause/play button on the game, or fill in the buttons for upgrades. I also want to get to revamping the level select screen a little bit. Now with another mode, I need more space for the scientist to move.

Here we go! In an attempt to get more interest, I decided to start a site/blog. I know there’s some interest in my game and I hope to give more information on what it’s about.

BITCROBES

Bitcrobes is part game, part simulation.
Players take on the role of a scientist studying a group of super microorganisms. You can control the microbe and outrun (or eat!) enemies, defeat viruses, and more importantly unlock upgrades to make your microbe even more powerful.

As the microbe eats food, and deadbeats enemies the player earns funding. Funding can be spent on bigger levels with more challenges, as well as unlocking a “creative mode” allowing for free form microorganism play. Players can also earn science points which are rare. Science points can be used to alter your microbe with new adaptions such as movement, size, mouth, or utility components.

Controls for the game are fairly simple. Tap to direct your microbe around the screen, and around obstacles. Mini games include defeating viral infections (think space invaders) as well as a gene splicing match 3 game to gain extra points.

It will be released for free on the apple App Store. I’m hoping to finish it in the next month! Bitcrobes is my first game and I hope people will enjoy it.